Fill valve leak prevention device

ABSTRACT

A device for preventing leaks in a toilet that comprises a fill valve operatively connected to and disposed above a float. In certain embodiments an arm is rotably connected to the fill valve such that the arm comprises a pivot. A lever is, for example, pivotally connected to the pivot of the arm and biased towards the fill valve, wherein a flush actuator causes the lever to pivot away from the fill valve. The lever may comprise a first side and a second side joined at the pivot, wherein the first side weighs less than the second side, and wherein the distribution of weight between the first and second sides of the lever causes the lever to bias towards the fill valve.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/825,907, entitled, FILL VALVE LEAK PREVENTION DEVICE, filed May 21, 2013, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present system relates to preventing and detecting leaky valves in toilets.

BACKGROUND

Occasionally, valves of toilets leak fluids such as flush valves. A leaky flush valve will cause water in the tank to leak out into the corresponding toilet bowl and ultimately down the drain. When a leak causes the water level in the tank to dip below its shut-off level, the water inlet valve typically opens in order to refill the tank. Between flushes, the tank is usually almost completely filled. As a result of the tank being ostensibly filled, a user may not be able to recognize that a valve such as the flush valve is leaking A leaky flush valve that goes unrepaired will waste water which is of particular concern in an age when natural resources such as water have become increasingly scarce and expensive.

Previous approaches to resolving leaky toilet valves have included the following. Some systems have been designed so that the inlet valve of the toilet assembly is prevented from opening and thus introducing water until a person affirmatively flushes the toilet. As such, any valve that is leaking will empty the tank so that future flushes are only possible after the user fills the tank. This is advantageous since water is conserved and users are put on notice that there is a leak due to the empty tank.

Aside from conservation of water, other considerations for solutions to leaky toilet valves include ensuring that any solution remains inexpensive and easy to implement on many different systems such as the approach taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,891 (hereinafter “'891 Patent”). However, the '891 Patent requires that the inlet valve post of the system be modified which is not easily achievable by one skilled in the art such as a plumber or handyman. Moreover, this approach is relatively difficult to use in practice since it requires mounting a bracket to the valve float. Perhaps most importantly, this system fails to operate when the position of the valve float changes even slightly.

Other approaches have including positioning floats that slide along vertical posts of the toilet as is the case in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,100,928 and 4,703,653. Each of these approaches, however, fails to describe a fill valve leak prevention device of relatively simple construction which is imperative in the field of toilets.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a fill valve leak prevention device that addresses these and other needs in the art.

SUMMARY

The following simplified summary is provided in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

A leak prevention device for a fill valve in a toilet comprises a toilet fill valve having an arm extending therefrom. A locking lever is pivotally mounted to the arm, wherein a first side of the locking lever is lighter than a second side of the locking lever such that the first side of the locking lever is biased, for example horizontally, upwardly biased, or some combination thereof, against the fill valve. A pull connector extends from the second side of the locking lever.

In some embodiments, a locking blade is provided so that it extends from the end of the first side of the locking lever. The pull connection that extends from the second side of the locking lever may be a chain configured to be connected to a flush lever.

In other embodiments, a leak prevention device may comprise a toilet fill valve having an arm extending therefrom. A positionable locking lever is connected to the arm that extends from the fill valve, wherein the locking lever is configured to bias toward the fill valve. A pull connector extends from the locking lever.

In other embodiments, a leak prevention device comprises a fill valve that is operatively connected to and disposed above a float. An arm connects to the fill valve, wherein the arm comprises a pivot. The arm may rotably connect to the fill valve but may also slidably connect thereto. A lever is connected to the pivot of the arm and configured so that it is biased towards the fill valve. Biasing the lever until it contacts the fill valve prevents the float disposed therebelow from moving and thus prevents the fill valve from allowing water to enter the tank. A flush actuator operatively connected to the arm may cause the lever to pivot away from the fill valve when a user desires to unlock the float and flush the toilet. The lever may comprise a center of gravity that is positioned further from the fill valve than the pivot. Additionally, the lever may further comprise a first side and a second side that are joined at the pivot, wherein an angle is provided therebetween that is defined by the first side, the second side, and the pivot. In some embodiments, the angle between the first and second side is adjustable.

The first side of the lever may weigh less than the second side, wherein the distribution of weight between the first and second sides of the lever causes the lever to bias towards the fill valve. In this embodiment, the flush actuator is connected to a lower end of the second side of the lever. The flush actuator may further comprise a chain in communication with a conventional flush lever. Optionally, the second side of the lever may comprise a material density greater than a material density of the first side. The second side may also comprise a material thickness greater than a material thickness of the first side. The second side may also comprise a material width greater than a material width of the first side.

A method of preventing a fill valve in a toilet from leaking is also provided comprising the following steps:, comprising: rotably connecting a fill valve arm to the fill valve, wherein the fill valve is positioned above a float; pivotally connecting a lever to a pivot of the fill valve arm, wherein the lever is biased towards the fill valve; and locking the fill valve by permitting a lower end of the lever to bias toward the fill valve when the lever is in a first position. The method may further comprise unlocking the fill valve by actuating a flush actuator and thereby biasing the lever away from the fill valve toward a second position causing water to ingress into a tank of the toilet. In embodiments where the lever further comprises a locking member coupled to the lower end of the lever extended towards the fill valve, the locking member may be constructed from metal and comprises binding teeth configured to dig into a perimetral surface of the fill valve. The perimetral surface of the fill valve may be constructed from a plastic or elastomeric material configured to induce friction and receive contact from the lever or locking member.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the claimed subject matter may be employed and the claimed subject matter is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a fill valve leak prevention device in a first position between flushes.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the fill valve leak prevention device of FIG. 1 in a second position during a flush.

FIG. 3 is a preferred embodiment of a close up view of a locking surface of the fill valve leak prevention device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The fill valve leak prevention device and method of use described herein are configured to conserve vital resources such as water, manufacturing resources, and time associated with repairs and maintenance of fill valves that otherwise require attention. Accordingly, the device and systems described herein depict a fill valve leak prevention device moving between a first position (a locked state) and a second position (an unlocked state).

FIG. 1 depicts a fill valve leak prevention device 10 assembled within a toilet 1 and tank 14 (each not depicted) for use with a fill valve 15. Device 10 is shown disposed above tank 14 internal to toilet 1. Typically, a chain 55 is in communication with a flush lever (not depicted) that allows the user to pull, push, or otherwise actuate in order to cause a flush. Accordingly, moving chain 55 in conventional flush systems causes fill valve arm 47 to lift fill valve 15 and allow ingress of water into tank 14 between flushes. Arm 47 is operatively coupled to link 27 and cap 37, wherein link 27 also mechanically attaches to float 26 therebelow. In some embodiments, a link end of arm 47 slidably mounts to a top of link 27 and is fastened thereto by cap 37. However, link 27 may optionally comprise integrally formed fasteners such as a hook, loop, pin, or the like configured to slidably receive and fasten link 27 to arm 47.

In previous approaches where device 10 was not provided and water in tank 14 dropped due to a leak, a fill valve 15 mechanically attached to fill valve arm 47 and operatively coupled to fill valve post 17 is caused to slide or move downwards along post 17 towards float 26 below the shut-off level of the tank 14. Fill valve 15 is then caused to open in order to refill the tank 14. This in turn wastes water since the tank is continuously filled and inconveniences the user when a flush is otherwise desired but the tank 14 is empty. Leak prevention device 10 is designed and assembled to resolve these problems.

In FIG. 1, the leak prevention device 10 is depicted in a first position, wherein the device 10 causes the fill valve 15 to be locked when the fill valve 15 is fully raised. In this position, the tank 14 is full and the device 10 of the toilet 1 is sitting in between flushes awaiting instructions from a user. If toilet 1 comprises a leak, however, device 10 prevents float 26 from moving downward and otherwise permitting ingress of water into tank 14 through valve 15 so that water is not wasted by unnecessarily introducing water through the fill valve 15 if a leak exists. FIG. 2 depicts device 10 in a second position during a flush, wherein the valve 15 is no longer prevented from moving to allow ingress of water into tank 14 since float 26 is now permitted to move.

In both FIGS. 1 and 2, device 10 comprises a locking lever 45 pivoting from central pivot 31 of fill valve arm 47 so that lever 45 pivots towards and away from post 17. Lever 45 comprises two sides 29 and 30 joined at central pivot 31, wherein lever arm angle 35 is defined between sides 29 and 30. Lever 45 comprises a center of gravity positioned further from valve 15 than pivot 31 when device 10 is in the first position. In practice, when the water level of tank 14 decreases, the tendency of lever 45 to bias towards valve 15 prevents float 26 from moving in such a way that causes valve 15 to open. Lever arm angle 35 may be any angle less than 180 degrees and preferably, less than 90 degrees. In some embodiments, angle 35 may be adjustable which provides additional ease of installation since relative distance between float 26, post 17, and valve 15 has no effect on whether lever 45 can be incorporated into device 10. First side 29 of the locking lever 45 may be heavier than second side 30 which may be achieved by using denser or heavier material or increasing respective material thickness or width of first side 29 with respect to second side 30.

As a result, lever 45 will tend to pivot towards surface 52 such that member 50 extending from lever 45 (or the lower end of lever 45 if no member 50 is provided) will be positioned to sit against the side of the fill valve as shown. Locking lever 45 may comprise corresponding locking member 50 which may be a blade or extruded member that extends from the forward end of lever 45 until contacting locking surface 52 of post 17. Locking member 50 engages with post 17 at locking surface 52, wherein locking surface 52 is configured to receive lever 45 and/or any corresponding member 50 so that device 10 remains intact and protected from contact resulting from lever 45 or member 50. When lever 45 or member 50 is seated against surface 52, advantageously lever 45 is maintained in its uppermost, first position as previously described. In so doing, fill valve arm 47 is prevented from falling which prevents the fill valve 15 from moving thereby preventing ingress of water into tank 14.

Distribution of weight as between sides 29 and 30 may be optionally achieved by removably attaching ballast to one or more sides 29 and 30 as desired. In all embodiments, sides 29 and 30 are arranged so that lever 45 naturally biases towards post 17 to the first. When lever 45 biases towards post 17, lever 45's may move in a strictly lateral, horizontal manner between first and second positions. Lever 45's biasing movement may optionally comprise a combination of lateral and vertical translation between positions or lever 45 may naturally rotate from second position to first position.

In preferred embodiments, member 50 is a locking blade constructed from stainless steel or other metal with binding teeth configured to etch or dig into surface 52 which creates friction induced grip between member 50 and surface 52 which may be plastic. Although metal may be preferred, any material more rigid than surface 52 can be used. Member 52 may further comprise a relatively sharp edge configured to etch into surface 52 to induce friction that prevents float 26 from moving.

Turning to FIG. 2, toilet 1 is depicted in a second position such that toilet 1 is being flushed. The flush lever controls fill valve 15 by moving chain 55. Chain 55 is in communication with side 29 of lever 45 causing lever 45 to be rotated away from fill valve 15. As a result, member 50 of lever 45 is moved away from surface 52 so that member 50 no longer maintains arm 47 in the first, uppermost position. In those embodiments where member 50 is not provided, the lower end of lever 45 is caused to rotate away from surface 52 in order to move arm 47 from first to second positions between locked and flush states. In all embodiments, once arm 47 is moved from first position due to lever 45 pivoting away from surface 52, arm 47 is then free to drop as the fill valve 15 falls. When valve 15 falls, water is permitted to ingress into the tank 14. As can be seen in both FIGS. 1 and 2, lower end of lever 45 may comprise a shoulder or bump 57, for example an extruded shoulder or bump. Bump 57 may be positioned and formed to both prevent and ensure that when device 10 moves between first and second positions, member 50 slides passed and avoids unnecessarily locking into or within surface 52 and therefore avoids being undesirably locked. In this respect, bump 57 may be shaped so it comprises a relatively round surface devoid of sharp edges that etch, catch, stick, or otherwise induce friction in surface 52.

FIG. 3 depicts a preferred embodiment of close up view of surface 52 when positioned on post 17. It can be seen that surface 52 preferably comprises serrations, teeth, channels, or an otherwise friction inducing surface that is configured to receive and positively lock member 50 or lever 45, depending on respective embodiments.

The present device 10 differs significantly from the approach taught by U.S. Pat. 5,769,111 (hereinafter “'111 Pat.”). The '111 Pat. teaches a leak prevention device but is of relatively complex construction and its installation consists of a buoyant cup that must be mounted underneath a valve float. The device functions by preventing the float from moving down between flushes by the buoyant cup. A mount assembly attaches to the underside of the float below the water such that the cup is normally immersed in water. When the water drops, the weight of the float causes the cup to pivot towards the post of the float until it locks the float in place. To unlock the cup of the '111 Patent, a chain is moved thereby disengaging the cup from contacting the float so that refilling may take place. This approach requires intricately machined parts, a mount to the float, a buoyant cup, and a pivot arrangement that relies upon the weight of the float for leak prevention functionality.

By contrast, device 10 locks float 26 in place through a relatively simple assembly that incorporates locking lever 45 with lever arm 47 already provided in conventional flush systems. Lever arm 47 is held upwards by the tendency of locking lever 45 to pivot towards post 17. This advantageously provides a simpler solution to the foregoing problems since it does not rely upon levels of water floating a buoyant cup or the weight of a float.

Thus, a fill valve leak prevention device as taught and described herein is able to be installed on any variety of toilets. What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A leak prevention device for use in operation with a fill valve in a toilet, comprising: (a) the toilet fill valve having an arm extending therefrom; (b) a positionable locking lever connected to the arm, wherein the locking lever is configured to bias toward the fill valve; and (c) a pull connector extending from the locking lever.
 2. A leak prevention device, comprising: a fill valve operatively connected to and disposed above a float in a toilet; an arm connected to the fill valve, wherein the arm comprises a pivot; a lever connected to the pivot of the arm and biased towards the fill valve, wherein a flush actuator causes the lever to pivot away from the fill valve.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the lever comprises a center of gravity positioned further from the fill valve than the pivot.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the lever comprises: a first side and a second side joined at the pivot; and an angle defined by the first side, the second side, and the pivot.
 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the angle is adjustable.
 6. The device according to claim 3, wherein the lever comprises a first side and a second side joined at the pivot, wherein the first side weighs less than the second side, and wherein distribution of weight between the first and second sides of the lever causes the lever to bias towards the fill valve.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the flush actuator is connected to a lower end of the second side of the lever.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the flush actuator comprises a chain, rope, wire, or string in communication with a flush lever.
 9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the second side comprises a material density greater than the first side.
 10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the second side comprises a material thickness greater than a material thickness of the first side.
 11. The device according to claim 6, wherein the second side comprises a material width greater than a material width of the first side.
 12. A method of preventing a fill valve in a toilet from leaking, comprising: rotably connecting a fill valve arm to the fill valve, wherein the fill valve is positioned above a float; pivotally connecting a lever to a pivot of the fill valve arm, wherein the lever is biased towards the fill valve; and locking the fill valve by permitting a lower end of the lever to bias toward the fill valve when the lever is in a first position.
 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: unlocking the fill valve by actuating a flush actuator and thereby biasing the lever away from the fill valve toward a second position causing water to ingress into a tank of the toilet.
 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the lever comprises a first side and a second side joined at the pivot, and wherein the lever is biased towards the fill valve.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first side weighs less than the second side such that distribution of weight between the first and second sides of the lever causes the lever to bias towards the fill valve.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the lever further comprises: an angle defined by the first side, the second side, and the pivot, wherein the angle is adjustable.
 17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the lever further comprises a locking member coupled to the lower end of the lever extended towards the fill valve.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the locking member is constructed from metal and comprises binding teeth configured to dig into a perimetral surface of the fill valve.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the perimetral surface of the fill valve is constructed from a plastic.
 20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the lever further comprises a center of gravity positioned further from the fill valve than the pivot. 